Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James
Why this one: I really enjoyed her debut book and this one also got great reviews so….
Blurb: When it comes to the laws of attraction, there are no rules The battle between the sexes is about to make these two lawyers hot under the collar. Opposites collide when two lawyers try to make partner at the same firm. Payton Kendall is a feminist to the bone. Cocky J.D. Jameson was born privileged. But when they are asked to join forces on a major case, they gain a new found awareness of each otheras personal assets. The partnership spot will be offered to only one of them, though. The competition heats up.
Steam Level: OK – this one isn’t going to burn your tongue – but that’s a good thing. Who wants a burned tongue all the time?
My Thoughts: First off – I’m still upset that this one isn’t on the shelves here. Because those spur of the moment buyers are missing out. I ordered this one online a while ago and I just checked and this one still isn’t available – in fact it doesn’t seem to be in any of the Chapters or from now on, more aptly named Most Hated Chain Store (MHCS) anywhere across the country!! Arrrgghhh I’d love to have the job of ordering romance books for MHCS.
I wasn’t very far into this book when I realized I was a hypocrite or a sexist or whatever term is more apt. While I loved Payton, I thought J.D. was a jerk. And if this had been reversed – J.D. a nice guy and Payton a character I didn’t like, I would have wanted to throw the book against the wall and probably not continued reading. I mean – how fair is that??? That’s not right is it? Why am I like this?
But because it was the way it was, I kept reading. And I’m happy to say that J.D. gets much better as we get to know him and I really enjoyed this book. Payton Kendal and J.D. Jameson have both been working hard at the same law firm, aiming for partner, for eight years and can barely tolerate each other. Payton resents J.D. because he has an edge due to the ‘good old boys’ network and J.D. thinks Payton has an unfair advantage due to initiatives to eliminate the ‘glass ceiling’ that is still so evident in society. When they have to work together to try and lure a new client, they slowly start to get to know other sides of each other. But a monkey wrench is thrown in when it’s announced that only one of them can make partner and each is determined that they will be the one.
I really enjoyed this book. Payton was tough when she had to be – which was most of the time – but in a very appealing way. Although it took her a while, she was willing to rethink her bias towards J.D. and after the reader gets to know him better, he really was adorable in a stuffed shirt kind of way. There were many LOL moments and I always enjoy that in a book. When they get to talking about how their animosity began, I really loved why J.D. was hurt – such a dufus guy kind of thinking.
I quite happily recommend this one and if you are living in
Grade: 4.5 out of 5
For those who are interested, she has a great television interview posted on her blog. She makes a great spokesperson for the genre.
And in other news - obviously I wasn't able to stay away long. The situation at work continues to be difficult and I've been advised by the union to 'sit on it' for a few days. Once it's been resolved I will be less cryptic.
